Mentor-Mentee Relationships

Mentoring in the Medical Student Summer Research Program is defined as supporting and assisting the student (mentee) in the completion of his/her summer project. The mentor possesses the expertise that will facilitate the mentee’s academic and professional development through a one-on-one, committed relationship between the mentor and mentee.

The mentor:

serves both as a teacher and as a supervisor. The mentor provides instruction, helps establish short-term goals and timelines for the mentee, critiques and edits written work of the mentee, reviews and tracks the mentee’s progress, provides feedback, and challenges the mentee.

serves as a role model. The mentor imparts knowledge, experience, and professionalism both directly and indirectly through his/her behavior, attitudes, and perspectives.

is flexible and adaptable to the needs of the mentee. The mentor should be willing to adapt his/her educational approach as the mentee progresses in his/her project and as the needs of the mentee change. Initially the mentor may need to play an active role in establishing short-term goals and timelines to maintain and reinforce progress. Later on, the mentor may serve more as a guide or consultant to the mentee.

is available and has regularly scheduled, in person meetings with the mentee. The in-person meetings can be supplemented with communication via telephone, voice mail, or email. However, these forms of communication should not replace regularly scheduled face-to-face meetings.